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HER Number: | 1705 |
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Record Type: | Monument |
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Name: | Anglo Saxon Inhumation Cemetery at Somerton |
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Designations
Grid Reference: | SP 496 288 |
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Parish: | SOMERTON, CHERWELL, OXFORDSHIRE |
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Monument Type(s):
Summary
Eight extended inhumation burials were found during digging operations in the grounds of the Elementary School in 1952.
Associated Monuments
NoneAssociated Finds:
NoneDescription
1) Eight extended inhumation burials were found during digging operations in the grounds of the Elementary School. Five partially uncovered skeletons or damaged remains were seen in position. They were buried face up and were visible, the heads were untilted and to the west, feet to the east and arms by the side. The skulls were protected by undressed lias slabs. There is a tradition that the school stands on the site of the inner court of a castle.
2) Five more uncovered in August 1969 when sewer trench being dug across the school house garden. A sixth skeleton under the kitchen floor in school house (C19th addition). Adult skeletons. No coffins but rough slabs 9" across over the skull.
3) Inhumations with slabs covering represent Anglo-Saxon to early medieval practice which but imperfectly understood at present.
4) Classified as Anglo-Saxon inhumation cemetery for MPP.
5) clippings removed to be archived at Oxfordshire history Centre. D Pinches 18/02/13.
6) Burials were first recorded in Castle Yard in the C19th when several graves and a richer cross (now lost) were found beneath. In 1973 many more inhumations were observed. Many of the plain and coffin burials can be related to the C16th Roman Catholic chapel. The inhumations with slab-covered skulls represent an Anglo Saxon to early medieval practice which is imperfectly understood. The slabbed burials may be evidence of the medieval castle chapel mentioned in 1295 or they may be pre-castle and their occurrence by the former school is either coincidental or indicative of an even earlier church.
<1> Oxford Architectural & Historical Society, Oxoniensia, Vols XVII/XVIII (1952/3) p.218 (Serial). SOX284.
<2> Local Informant as main provider of information, 1969 (Noted on PRN card but no source given) (Verbal communication). SOX277.
<3> Oxford Architectural & Historical Society, Oxoniensia, Vol XLII (1977) pp.216-225. "Observations at Somerton, Oxon 1973" by R A Chambers (Serial). SOX284.
<4> MPP Documents for Oxfordshire, S Lisk, 9.3.93 (Index). SOX259.
<5> Additional Information in Detailed Record File, Mid-Oxon Chronicle report of finds (1952) (Index). SOX258.
<6> OAU Newsletter, Vol X No 4 December 1983 p.11 (Article in serial). SOX270.
Sources
<1> | Oxford Architectural & Historical Society. Oxoniensia. Vols XVII/XVIII (1952/3) p.218. [Serial / SOX284] |
<2> | Local Informant as main provider of information. 1969 (Noted on PRN card but no source given). [Verbal communication / SOX277] |
<3> | Oxford Architectural & Historical Society. Oxoniensia. Vol XLII (1977) pp.216-225. "Observations at Somerton, Oxon 1973" by R A Chambers. [Serial / SOX284] |
<4> | MPP Documents for Oxfordshire. S Lisk, 9.3.93. [Index / SOX259] |
<5> | Additional Information in Detailed Record File. Mid-Oxon Chronicle report of finds (1952). [Index / SOX258] |
<6> | OAU Newsletter. Vol X No 4 December 1983 p.11. [Article in serial / SOX270] |
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